Hardware Nintendo was smart to redesign the hinge on 3DSes

[Arnold Schwarzen]

Well whatever the reason for the cracking hinge is, it looks like it will eventually break. The reason I say this is because parts of it (on the way left and right sides) are made too small and are too thin and may crack sometime, whether it be a few months or a year or so. Yours might not even crack at all, who knows. Hopefully Nintendo reconstructs the hinge better, here's a pic of how it could work:

The image on the top is obviously what our DS Lites sorta look like, the one on the middle is one way it could be rebuilt (though I don't know if this is a good idea and if the hinge may be able to fall apart, which is why you should take a look at the third DS Lite). The DS Lite on the bottom of the picture shows what it would be like if the left and right sides of the hinge were bigger (and less likely to break easily).

This is just an example of how the hinge could have better construction, of course they may actually look better than how they were drawn and may be constructed differently (that is, if Nintendo really does this).

It looks like Nintendo did something like image 2 and kudos to them. They should have done this back when they manufactured the Lites but at least our 3DS hinges ain't gonna fall apart any time soon. TBH I never had this hinge issue but the redesign should prevent anyone from easily getting it.

 

[Slyakin]

Now get ready to get flamed by people saying "BAWWW IT'S LOOSE BAWWWWWWW"

 

[Hanafuda]

My 3DS's hinge is perfect. I do hope it holds up well over time.

As for the DSLite's, I think it was more a plastic issue than design. I can only go on my own experience, but I went through FOUR white DSLite's under warranty, replaced every time for cracked hinges. Every time I went though this I asked for a different color, and every time NOA said they couldn't do that. They kept sending white ones, and they kept on breaking. Both of my kids got the later two-tone versions (black/crimson and black/cobalt) several years ago and neither of them has had a problem. And trust me, my kids are a lot harder on their DSLite's than I ever was with mine.

My final white DSLite held out longer than the previous three, but almost 1 full year after the warranty expired it too cracked, at the same spot as the others. I had no choice but to keep it and use it, and after another 6 months or so the whole plastic housing where the led lights are flaked and crumbled away. Now the hinge swings loose, with no 'detent' to hold it in place. My wife uses it to read novels using a japanese 'game' that lets you download old books. It's called Bungaku Zensyu. The broken hinge doesn't matter for something like that, but for any actual game, it's unplayable now.

 

[kevan]

I got a limited edition Mario Red DS Lite and it's going fine, but thats only a year and a bit old.

 

[The Milkman]

I got a limited edition golden triforce DSlite with a pre ordered phantoms hourglass (wish they had that again for spirit tracks :/) it lasted for a good 1 year and a half before I ran into any problems then it got broken L/R and my touch screen got dead pixels, but I didnt have any real issues with the hinge till about 2 and a half yyears, but hey, it still works and I use it as a back up system for when my lil niece comes down.

 

[boktor666]

I have my dsl for about 2/3 years or so? no issues at all, no hinge crack, no dead pix, and good functioning l/r buttys. But it does look like ninty did something similiar like your image. mabey they do follow tips from users?

 

[Deleted User]

Now get ready to get flamed by people saying "BAWWW IT'S LOOSE BAWWWWWWW"

Ahem..
BAWWW IT'S LOOSE BAWWWWWWW

Spoiler

But seriously, it does make a huge cracking noise every time I open it. Baw.

 

[dimmidice]

i dont know why but the hinge bothers me

i have this illogical fear that it'l break. never had that with my ds

 

[Pippin666]

I tried to inculcate that to blockhead Tempers in every F thread about "loose" hinge.

Pip'